Call for apprentices at West Suffolk councils

Ten new apprenticeship roles are opening up across West Suffolk Councils.

St Edmundsbury Borough and Forest Heath District councils already have 10 apprentices in post, and 18 of their current staff started their careers through apprenticeships.

Ian Gallin, chief executive at both authorities, also started his working life as an apprentice.

Mr Gallin left school at 17 and started an apprenticeship at Devon County Council. Alongside this, he studied business and finance.

He later studied economic development and planning, and was then offered a job at Bath City Council.

Mr Gallin said: “I have no idea what I would have done if I hadn’t had the opportunity to become an apprentice – I certainly would not have had the kick start into my career that I received.

“The valuable experience I had achieved as an apprentice gave me a significant advantage in gaining that job.”

Millie Royal, who is currently an apprentice with HR department, has said “earning and learning” has been the biggest benefit of the project so far.

Tom Peters, who works in finance, said apprenticeships provide “hands on experience” that is attractive to current and future employers.

The scheme is also supported by Matthew Hancock, West Suffolk MP and Skills and Enterprise Minister.

He added: “We want it to be the new norm for young people to choose to either go to university or begin an apprenticeship.

“Apprenticeships increase business productivity and increase skills levels, so with a talent pool of over a million potential employees, it is the ideal time for companies and councils to take advantage of the opportunities for business growth provided by employing apprentices.”